A gift to WPI's Manufacturing Engineering Department by noted artist Barbara Rubin-Katz has visitors to the third floor of Washburn Shops taking a second look. Rubin-Katz, wife of Robert Katz, associate professor of mechanical engineering at WPI, presented her framed assemblage "Materials Ascendant" to the department recently. The work, composed of "found" objects, is a striking juxtaposition of aggregations of aluminum, steel, copper, titanium, ceramic and composite materials, with large open spaces.
"These assemblages convey a multifaceted sense of purpose and place, achieving a rare unification of art and activity," says the artist. "Those who look closely will recognize the different components of an aluminum ingot, a turbine blade, turbo charger rotors, Italian and Korean coins, and glass and various ceramics," adds Robert Katz.